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News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too

West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, is hailing a Government announcement due to be made tomorrow as a campaign success for the Independent and Liberal Democrat led Cornwall Council, and the work of a key council official ^ Nigel Blackler (whose brainchild it was) ^ for his constituents who massively backed his petition and campaign for this ^multi million investment.

The major project, which will be unveiled by the PM David Cameron at Long Rock in Mr George^s constituency is to improve rail services from Penzance, including:- a major sleeper service upgrade, major improvements in the mainline signalling to increase service efficiency, the relocation of a major Train Care and maintenance Centre to the Long Rock depot, bringing at least 60 much needed jobs to the area and a Transport Interchange at St Erth.

Mr George applauded the thousands of local people who supported his successful campaign for major investment in train services from Penzance. Andrew led the Parliamentary campaign for the ^multi million campaign.

Mr George who asked the PM about the matter today in PMQs, said, ^This is fantastic news. It^s been a long time coming. But this is just a beginning, not the end to the investment we deserve.

^This campaign has been going for years. There^s a great deal more needed to improve our rolling stock and rail infrastructure so that we don^t get left behind. I will continue to campaign for the necessary investment and improvements to our rail services until we get a firm commitment from Government to provide a rail service in keeping with 21st century requirements.

^But, I am glad that the Conservatives have finally recognised the merit of this case and the urgent need for improvements in our rail service. But, I am proud of the way in which my constituents have rallied behind the campaign for a resilient rail service. I have been humbled by the thousands of local people who have supported my petition to build up pressure on the Government to make sure that the Penzance line secures the investment it deserves for a resilient rail service.

^MPs across all parties, in Cornwall and the South West, have already voted not to deny communities on the London North corridor the ^billions of investment necessary for HS2 to get underway. But it is only reasonable to continue to ask that the Government gives us a just share of investment to provide the resilient and reliable rail service from Penzance to Paddington. The petitioners and the thousands of locals who support them expect nothing less.

^Curiously the PM has been coy about letting me know about his visit. But he^s very welcome nevertheless. This has been a great campaign and a deserved success. It^s marvellous to gather support, even from the ^Johnny come latelies^ in the Tory Party. The train hasn^t left the station yet and there^s room for many more to clamber aboard, even at this stage^

Be interesting to see the detail in the announcement tomorrow. Any upgrades to Long Rock depot to allow it to maintain more rolling stock is obviously closely linked to the long term rolling stock strategy in Cornwall. If London-Plymouth/Penzance trains are going to retain HSTs then an upgrade to move some maintenance of HSTs sets to Long Rock once IEP is introduced makes sense. If an option is taken up for more IEPs to run London-Plymouth/Penzance services then I wouldn't have thought Long Rock would be much involved with the maintenance of IEPs beyond overnight stabling and servicing. Of course there's always the DMUs for the Local services too. One of the options in the aborted Invitation to Tender for the Great Western franchise was a reduction in through services to Penzance with connecting services provided from Plymouth instead. If that was an option going forward then Long Rock could be used to maintain the greater number of Local DMUs which would be needed in the area.

North Pole is the replacement for Old Oak Common as it's currently being refurbished in preparation for IEP. I'm not sure what happens to the HEX fleet, is there room for their site to remain? Obviously the HEX fleet isn't going to be maintained at Long Rock anyway!

Old Oak Common does need to find a new home as HS2 will need most pf the space, plus the new huge station planned, so why not at the other emd of the route?

Whilst it is good practice to have a depot at the "country end" of a route, having two of them west of Dawlish sea wall could land FGW with real problems with stranded rolling stock if history repeats itself and no diversionary route is made available. Facilities are also required at the London end.

Just over ^146m will be spent upgrading the South West rail network including an overhaul of sleeper trains.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the ^146.6m was a "crucial part of a long-term economic plan to back business".

The upgrades will see the sleeper trains linking London with Devon and Cornwall upgraded, as well as signalling improvements west of Totnes.

Tim Jones from the Devon and Cornwall Business Council said the work would improve track speeds.

He said it would make an "immeasurable difference" and he also hoped it would pave the way for the introduction of half-hourly services on the Cornish mainline.

The investment includes ^9m of funding from the Department for Transport, ^29.6m from Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, ^103.5m from Network Rail and ^4.5m from train operator First Great Western.

Nearly seven million passengers use the rail network in Cornwall every year, with passenger numbers growing twice as fast as the national average.

Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for transportation, said enhancing main line signalling was as important as improving the A30 and building the Tamar Bridge in keeping the county connected.

Delayed at Totnes yesterday afternoon, although having a pleasant chat with the platform staff. Seems that a TCF meaning one train allowed into the signal section at any one time.Unfortunately being a long signal section meant delays of upto 20 minutes, however my railway education was enhanced.

Unfortunately 3 'idiots' decide to walk off the edge of the platform on the downside and decide to inspect the road bridge, totally ignoring warnings voiced by the platform staff. Not rail passenger's it turns out they were member's of the 'Totnes Transport forum' ,affiliated to the 'Transistion Totnes Group'.

The Prime Minister has today announced a ^146.6 million package of rail improvements for Cornwall which will see a major upgrade to the Sleeper service, improved signalling on the main line and enhancements to the traincare maintenance centre in Penzance.

The announcement has been welcomed by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership who have spent the last 18 months working with First Great Western, Network Rail and the Department for Transport on new measures to improve rail services in Cornwall.

Last year First Great Western and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership secured two additional carriages for the Night Riviera Sleeper service, one of only two Sleeper operations in the UK. Today^s announcement will see significant improvements to the quality of the Sleeper berths, day coaches and the saloon area by April 2016.

The package will also see Network Rail^s proposals to renew signalling across Cornwall^s 128 kilometres of main rail line brought forward by five years to December 2018. This will increase capacity, provide the opportunity for improved journey times in the future and support Cornwall Council's desire to provide a half-hourly service on the main line.

The third element of the package involves the improvement of the engineering capabilities and capacity of the train care depot in Penzance. Once operational in autumn 2016, the depot will provide modernised facilities to maintain the Sleeper with the capacity to add additional rolling stock in the future to support Cornwall Council^s desired service enhancements.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: ^Ensuring that we have first class infrastructure across Britain is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan to back business, create jobs and provide a brighter future for hardworking people. This investment, which will boost the local economy and improve connectivity, is great news for Cornwall, the South West and beyond.^

Cornwall Council^s Cabinet Member for Transportation, Bert Biscoe said: ^This announcement is great news for Cornwall. We have been working closely with the LEP and First Great Western to improve our rail services and are delighted that the Government is supporting our plans. This is a real opportunity to develop Cornwall^s public transport network. Enhancing the main line signalling in Cornwall is just as important as dualling the A30 and building the Tamar Bridge in keeping Cornwall connected.^

Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Chris Pomfret said: ^Transport connectivity is always one of the first issues identified by the business community as a barrier to Cornwall^s economic growth. This investment makes a major step forward in addressing this issue through an enhanced sleeper service and potentially a more regular and resilient link to London and the rest of the country.

^Perhaps, just as importantly, is that this is a real demonstration of a council and LEP and the two relevant rail bodies and the Department for Transport working together to produce a solution that benefits all parties, but most particularly, the people of Cornwall.^

First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: ^This is just another example of the significant investment that is benefitting customers across our network. At First Great Western we have a great track record of working with local authority partners and the wider rail industry to deliver significant improvements of real economic value for the communities we serve. This upgrade takes the Night Riviera Sleeper product to a whole new level, providing top class accommodation, increasing capacity and introducing a brasserie-style bar area while paving the way for potential future train service improvements.^

Network Rail^s Western Route Managing Director Patrick Hallgate said: ^The South West has a vibrant economy which is experiencing staggering growth in demand for rail travel. That can only be supported by putting in the best possible connections to the rest of the country. Network Rail is proud to be playing a part in that success story."

Work on the Sleeper upgrade will be carried out by Knorr-Bremse RailServices UK.

Managing Director, Paul Goodhand said: ^We are delighted to be involved with the improvement programme being implemented by First Great Western to their Night Riviera Sleeper service. Knorr-Bremse RailServices is carrying out a complete refurbishment on the trains which will make them even more attractive for passengers traveling the Paddington to Penzance route. We share with our customer, First Great Western, their ambition of making this route one of the most pleasurable long distance train routes for passengers in the UK.^

Logged

William Huskisson MP was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.

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